NETGATE 4100 LAN port configuration
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Hi,
I have a NETGATE 4100, I need help with configuring Lan port 2 the same as LAN port 1.On this model the LAN ports don’t act as a switched port. Is there a way to can configure it to get them on to the same network.
I’m a total Rookie at this and would appreciate your help.
Thanks
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@miracullix There is, through bridging, but it is NOT recommended -- you should buy a switch to do the job of a switch, not a router to do switching as it is going to just slam your CPU and kill performance.
What you can do, if you need all the throughput, is if your switch supports LAGG-ing you LAGG the ports together and have them load balance for you, but don't build a bridge... you won't be happy for very long if you do.
An example: https://forum.netgate.com/topic/157465/lab-vm-pfsense-bridge-cpu-usage-100?_=1661999247683
Search the forums for the word "bridge" and you'll usually see a response from a veteran discouraging the action.
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@rcoleman-netgate Thanks for your quick reply.
The reason why I try to do this is; my Lutron smart bridge is looking or protecting it self cuz it is getting flooded with traffic. That is what Lutron support is telling me.
They recommend to move the smart bridge from my ubiquiti USW-Lite-Poe-16-port straight to the router.
For testing reason I added a normal 5 port network switch just after the router. I connected the Lutron bridge and Ubiquiti switch to that.
Now with this configuration the Lutron bride is working correctly.But I don’t like the idea of having a normal switch in front of my main switch.
That why I would like to get LAN 2 configured the same as LAN 1.Would you have a better idea, to resolve the issue I have with this Lutron bridge.
Thanks
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@miracullix So just bridge the ports together and give it a try. You can always "undo" what you setup - go in reverse order to tear it all apart.
Under Interfaces, select the Bridge button. In there, click the Add button. In there add the 2 ports you want together (use the shift key on the keyboard to select multiple ports) and then click the Save button. Keep in mind, the only interfaces you can add to a bridge are "enabled" interfaces. In other words, they have to be active. I think the 4100 comes with all interface ports enabled.
So, now that you have a bridge added, you have to enable it and set it up. Be careful here, I think you could inadvertently lose your LAN connection and the IP address range you already had on it.
Long story short, I don't believe you can simply click a couple of buttons and add another available interface to a bridge. There's a little bit of setup, and some pretty good setting tweaks. And, obviously the performance hit. So, that's why it's said to just add a switch to keep it simple.
Hope that helps...